Here, you are urged and encouraged to run your mouths about something important.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Oakland Mayor: All Police Report for Duty, all Other City Employees Join OWS Protests

I think it's safe to say that liberal Oakland mayor Jean Quan has either officially gone insane or the political pressure is so great, she's become utterly powerless while appearing as the person behind such an insane decision. After ordering the Oakland police to clear out protesters last week, Quan changed her mind and had police stand down and allow protesters to 're-occupy' the city. Now she seems to be presiding over the human equivalent of cock-fighting. We're talking Michael Vick territory on a human scale here. On Wednesday, November 2nd, she has ordered every police officer to report for work while encouraging every other city employee to take the day off and support OWS.

No, really.

Check out this open letter from the Oakland Police Officers' Association to the people of Oakland:

As your police officers, we are confused.

On Tuesday, October 25th, we were ordered by Mayor Quan to clear out the encampments at Frank Ogawa Plaza and to keep protesters out of the Plaza. We performed the job that the Mayor’s Administration asked us to do, being fully aware that past protests in Oakland have resulted in rioting, violence and destruction of property.

Then, on Wednesday, October 26th, the Mayor allowed protesters back in – to camp out at the very place they were evacuated from the day before.

To add to the confusion, the Administration issued a memo on Friday, October 28th to all City workers in support of the “Stop Work” strike scheduled for Wednesday, giving all employees, except for police officers, permission to take the day off.

That’s hundreds of City workers encouraged to take off work to participate in the protest against “the establishment.” But aren’t the Mayor and her Administration part of the establishment they are paying City employees to protest? Is it the City’s intention to have City employees on both sides of a skirmish line?

It is all very confusing to us.

Quan is likely a pawn in a much larger game that involves some key individuals. First, Van Jones got his start in Oakland years ago, protesting against police. He is also one of the key instigators of these protests. He warned people back in September that his 'Rebuild the Dream' effort would bring about an 'American autumn' similar to the 'Arab spring.' In many ways, this is likely a reason why Oakland has become a flashpoint for OWS.

Next, consider Rep. Barabara Lee (D-CA). Not only does she have an interesting history with Van Jones but Oakland is in her district. She was registered with the Democratic Socialists of America caucus as recently as 2009 and also supports OWS.

How about Obama's closest adviser, Valerie Jarrett? She sang Van Jones' praises back in 2009 and touted his work in Oakland as one of the reasons he was hired by the White House.

Then, of course, there is Barack Obama. He continues to express support for the OWS movement.

Oakland mayor Jean Quan is looking beyond foolish with this latest move but when it is put in the context of her likely doing the will of an extremely powerful political machine, it makes a bit more sense.

One thing is clear. By ordering all police to report for duty and all city employees to show up to protest, one is only left to conclude that someone wants confrontation, which is exactly the opposite of law and order.

Read more about this Oakland dynamic HERE. I also addressed this angle on my October 30th radio show.